Log actuated log splitter

Abstract

A power operated log splitter adapted for the relative movement of a wedge means (14) and backing plate means (16) between spaced apart first and second positions (A and B) by the linear movement of an operating arm (12) of a hydraulic cylinder (11) mounting the wedge means (14) on the backing plate means (16) from an idle position (A) towards and away from the fixed backing plate means (16) or wedge means (14) to split the logs (100) is described. The log splitter includes a moveable pressure plate (18), preferably mounted on the backing plate (16), and a mechanical linkage means (19) connected to the moveable pressure plate (18) which actuates a valved control means (17) for the hydraulic cylinder (11) when the pressure plate (18) is in contact with a log (100) to initiate movement of the operating arm (12). Upon splitting of the log (100) and removal from the spaced apart positions (A and B) the pressure plate (18) disengages the linkage means (19) from the control valve (17) to return the operating arm (12) to the idle position (A). The wedge means (14) is provided with a projection which interferes with an adjustable block on the linkage means (19) adjacent the idle position (A) to stop the arm (12). The log splitter is particularly adapted for use by a single operator.

I claim: 
     
       1. In a power operated log splitter including a frame means having spaced apart first and second positions, a drive means mounted on the frame means including a hydraulic cylinder having a linearly moveable operating arm moveable from an idle position adjacent the first position towards the second position and a power means providing hydraulic power to the cylinder for reciprocating movement of the operating arm between the positions, a wedge means and a backing plate means in spaced relationship in the first and second positions such that the wedge means and backing plate means cooperate through movement of the wedge means or the backing plate means by the operating arm in a line towards the backing plate means or wedge means for splitting logs positioned on the frame means between the positions and a selectively operable valved control means providing for movement of the operating arm and the wedge means or backing plate means from the idle position for log splitting by the wedge means and for return to the idle position the improvement which comprises: (a) a moveable pressure plate mounted between the positions in the line between the wedge means and backing plate means wherein the pressure plate is moveable in a first direction by a log to be split and is provided with means for moving the moveable pressure plate in the opposite direction in absence of a log to be split; and   (b) mechanical linkage means connected between the moveable pressure plate and the valved control means to actuate the control means which starts the operating arm for log splitting when the moveable pressure plate is moved in the first direction and to actuate the control means to return the operating arm when the moveable plate is moved in the opposite direction wherein the operating arm is actuated from the idle position by a log to be split moving the moveable pressure plate and linkage to the control means and wherein the operating arm is returned towards the idle position upon removal of the split log from between the spaced apart first and second positions on the frame means thereby moving the moveable plate away from the backing plate.   
     
     
       2. In a power operated log splitter including a frame means having two spaced apart first and second positions, a drive means mounted on the frame means including a hydraulic cylinder having a linearly moveable operating arm moveable from an idle position adjacent the first position towards the second position and a power means providing hydraulic power to the cylinder for reciprocating movement of the operating arm between the positions, a wedge means and a backing plate means in spaced relationship in the first and second positions such that the wedge means and backing plate means cooperate through movement of the wedge means or the backing plate means by the operating arm in a line towards the backing plate means or wedge means for splitting logs positioned on the frame means between the positions and a selectively operable valved control means providing for movement of the operating arm and the wedge means or backing plate means on the operating arm from the idle position for log splitting by the wedge means and for return to the idle position the improvement which comprises: (a) a moveable pressure plate mounted on the backing plate means in the line between the wedge means and backing plate means wherein the pressure plate moves towards and away from the backing plate means on the line and is provided with spring means for moving the moveable plate away from the backing plate in absence of a log to be split; and   (b) mechanical linkage means connected between the moveable pressure plate and the valved control means to actuate the control means for log splitting when the moveable pressure plate is moved towards the backing plate and to activate the control means to return the operating arm when the moveable plate is moved away from the backing plate wherein the operating arm is actuated from the idle position by an end of a log to be split forcing the moveable pressure plate towards the backing plate means and wherein the operating arm is returned towards the idle position upon removal of the split log from between the spaced apart first and second positions on the frame means.   
     
     
       3. In a power operated log splitter including a frame means having spaced apart first and second positions, a drive means mounted on the frame means including a hydraulic cylinder having a linearly moveable operating arm moveable from an idle position adjacent the first position towards the second position and power means providing hydraulic power to the cylinder for reciprocating movement of the operating rod between the positions, a wedge means attached to the operating arm, a fixed backing plate means attached to the frame means at the second position in spaced relationship to the wedge means such that the wedge means and backing plate means cooperate through movement of the wedge means by the operating arm in a line towards the backing plate means for splitting logs positioned on the frame means between the positions and a selectively operable valved control means providing for movement of the wedge means on the operating arm from the idle position for log splitting by the wedge means and for return to the idle position, the improvement which comprises: (a) a moveable pressure plate mounted on the backing plate means in the line between the wedge means and backing plate means wherein the pressure plate moves towards and away from the backing plate means on the line and is provided with spring means for moving the moveable plate away from the backing plate in absence of a log to be split; and   (b) mechanical linkage means connected between the moveable pressure plate and the valved control means to actuate the control means for log splitting when the moveable pressure plate is moved towards the backing plate and to activate the control means to return the operating arm when the moveable plate is moved away from the backing plate wherein the operating arm and wedge means is actuated from the idle position by an end of a log to be split forcing the moveable pressure plate towards the backing plate means and wherein the wedge means is returned towards the idle position upon removal of the split log from between the spaced apart first and second positions on the frame means.   
     
     
       4. The log splitter of claim 3 wherein the wedge means is slideably connected on the frame means for movement between the spaced apart first and second positions. 
     
     
       5. The log splitter of claim 3 wherein the mechanical linkage means includes a manually operable lever pivotally mounted on the frame means opposite the moveable pressure plate and behind the backing plate such that the lever pivots towards and away from the backing plate by means of a handle on the lever, wherein the moveable pressure plate includes a rod pivotably connected to the lever on one side of the pivot for the lever adjacent the handle and on the other side of the pivot for the lever is pivotably connected to an actuating rod slideably mounted on the frame means wherein the actuating rod activates the valved control means due to movement of the pressure plate by a log to be split towards the backing plate means so as to move the wedge means away from the idle position and wherein the handle can be used to activate the operating arm from the idle position manually by movement away from the backing plate means. 
     
     
       6. The log splitter of claim 4 wherein the actuating rod means is divided into two closely spaced apart sections such that there is a short section adjacent to the moveable pressure plate and pivotably attached to the lever and a longer section which together activate the valved control means, wherein a cam means is mounted on an end of the short section of the actuating rod away from the lever and adjacent the longer section, wherein a cam lifter is mounted on the wedge means so as to lift and thereby disconnect the short section from the longer section upon full extension of the operating arm and wedge means towards the backing plate means wherein the longer section of the rod includes a second spring means which moves the longer section towards the short section to thereby automatically return the actuating arm towards the idle position by moving the valved control means to a retract position. 
     
     
       7. The log splitter of claim 6 wherein the cam means includes a knob which is picked up by the cam lifter means on the wedge means. 
     
     
       8. The log splitter of claim 6 wherein the handle on the lever is rotatable on the lever towards the backing plate, wherein the handle and the short section of the actuating rod are connected such that the short section can be manually disconnected from the longer section by rotating the handle on the lever to disconnect the short section from the longer section to thereby return the wedge and operating arm towards the idle position. 
     
     
       9. The log splitter of claim 8 wherein the handle and the short section are connected by a second rod and wherein the short section has a slot for attaching of the rod which allows the lever to pivot to move the pressure plate without disconnecting the short section. 
     
     
       10. The log splitter of claim 5 wherein a projection is provided on the wedge means and an adjustable block is mounted on the actuating rod so that the block and projection can be provided in an interference position with each other in the idle position so as to move the valved control means into the idle position. 
     
     
       11. The log splitter of claim 10 wherein the block is adjustable by being moveable along the actuating rod to fixed positions. 
     
     
       12. The log splitter of claim 5 wherein the valved control means is mounted on the frame means in line with the actuating rod such that the actuating rod directly actuates the valved control means.